Three (5 page)

“I understand your telescope
is located at the South Pole.  Why place a telescope in such a hostile
environment?”

“The South Pole is the best
place to study deep space.  I know this sounds silly, but the South Pole is
truly dark.  Now, not to be outdone by Khalil, my temple of research at the
South Pole has the most ominous name of the three.  It is called ‘The Dark Sector
Laboratory’: ‘Dark’, because during the southern winter this region is darker than
any other part of the earth, and therefore offers the cleanest window on the
universe.”

“What have you seen at this
dark temple?”

“We’ve recently found subtle evidence
of the very first forms of matter, created at the earliest moments of the
universe.  This new data has begun to draw in a third discipline at Fermilab,
that of mathematics and computer modeling.” said David, as he gestured toward
Elizabeth.

Smiling, she then continued
the tutorial. “Here at your Fermilab ‘cathedral’, we theorists have been able
to group fundamental particles together in families based on shared
properties.  These families in turn show such well-defined patterns that we
have been able to identify undiscovered family members that properly fill in
the blank positions in the patterns.  Using their predicted properties, experimentalists
have then been able to find many of these missing family members. 

“Merging these patterns of fundamental
particles together, using pure mathematics, has led to a unified theory of the
forces holding together these fundamental particles to form the various forms
of matter.  Now, to venture deeper into questions like how these fundamental
particles and forces came to be, this mathematical approach has begun to take
center stage and now seeks experimental data at CERN and the Dark Sector Lab,
to verify its final predictions.”

“What kinds of pattern are
seen in the data?”

“The tables of properties of
each family of particles actually appear as symmetrical patterns, some
hexagonal, some triangular.  That is why we had little trouble predicting the
properties of the missing members.  We believe we can now predict the particles
and forces that lay at the very foundation of the universe. 

As Peter indicated in his series
presented on Public Television, scientists are on the verge of finding the
elusive ‘Theory of Everything’.  The recent discovery at CERN of a particle
called the Higgs Boson has made a great stride forward in man’s search.  This discovery
is so significant this new particle immediately became known as the ‘God
particle’ in the media accounts of its prediction, discovery, and future
significance.”

Oliver had been trying, with
only limited success, to follow the accounts of these three disciplines given
to him by Peter’s three team members. In part, he was distracted by their
humanity as well as their intellect.  These three had been present when Peter
collapsed and were present in the ambulance that rushed him to the hospital. 
They also were there the previous evening to comfort Alice prior to Oliver’s
arrival.  Watching their interactions and sensing their concerns for Peter, his
daughter, and even for Oliver himself, he was gaining a strong sense they were
not only an intellectual unit, but also a family unit held together by a mutual
respect and love for one another.  Although they were each of different faiths
and cultural backgrounds, they shared a healthy optimism that their work would
help mankind, not harm it. In addition, they displayed a strong willingness to
give of their time and efforts to help Alice deal with her personal loss. 

Oliver had known these three
for some years but had never been in a discussion with them together.  As he
witnessed their interactions, he thought of his calling to the ministry.  What
eventually came to mind was a verse from the letter of Paul to the church at
Corinth,
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the
greatest of these is love.”

Oliver expressed some limited
understanding of Peter’s team’s search for “The Theory of Everything”, but
mostly he was bewildered.  He raised his eyebrows, scratched his head and
sighed deeply.  “I’ve a lot to learn about this and will probably pester you
with naïve questions for the next few weeks.”

Oliver was not quite
convinced Peter’s death and the apparent loss of data, so important to the work
of his team, were unrelated, but he gave no hint of this while he concluded his
questioning.  He decided not to reveal Peter’s last haunting words to his team
at this time for fear of further upsetting them.  Perhaps it was his work at
Homeland Security, where every new case held some hidden plot or subterfuge,
which fueled his suspicions that these words of Peter’s were a clue to his
death. 

Oliver seemed caught between
his early call to the ministry, based in part on his faith in the goodness of
mankind, and his subsequent work of religious terrorism, based on man’s evil
nature.  Thinking back to his discussion of symmetry breaking when he and Peter
were juniors at Princeton, he visualized a holy book standing on edge, ready to
fall one way or the other.  His thoughts teetered between believing that
mankind was by nature good, or that mankind was easily tempted to commit acts
of evil.  He was not sure just what to believe about Peter’s cause of death,
but he was determined to find out.

He thanked the three for
their thoughtful help as well for their care and concern for him and for
Alice.  He turned to Elizabeth and said, “Elizabeth, I’ll be back in touch when
you’ve finished retrieving Peter’s laptop files.” 

Oliver made his way out of their
office and rode the elevator to the lobby.  He waited as two young men in suits
and ties received their security badges.   He then turned in his badge at the
desk near the entrance and walked from Wilson Hall to his car in the nearby
parking area.  Driving away along Road A he again noted the cathedral-like form
of Fermilab’s central administration building in his rear-view mirror.

 His return drive along I-88
seemed shorter than the trip out, mostly because his mind was filled with the
details of Peter’s work and the profound loss his death now represented.  As he
approached Chicago near the end of the one hour drive, Oliver became aware his cell
phone was vibrating. He had silenced it while he was with Peter’s team and had
forgotten to activate the ringer.  He pulled off the interstate and into a fast
food restaurant parking lot, noting that it was a call from I&A through a
scrambler. 

When he answered, Bob Clark
said, “Oliver, I want to fill you in on some things regarding the recent tragic
events at Fermilab.  I know you’re greatly disturbed by Peter Newbury’s death
and have been looking into what might be behind it.  Please know I would do the
same if I were in your position, but you must realize, this death happened at a
national facility and therefore is under careful investigation by a team of
federal agents.  They have become aware of your discussions with Peter’s team
and share your suspicions concerning the nature of Peter’s death. As a result,
they have taken over the supervision of the autopsy in a manner that is
invisible to all but the head coroner.  Our involvement, and any findings, are
considered highly classified until it is determined that he died of natural
causes. 

“Oliver, I hate to have to
ask you to back off, but you’re personally connected to this case and, as is
the standard practice, must now distance yourself and leave the investigation
of Dr. Newbury’s death to the FBI.  I’m assigning Max to work with you on the
ISIS network issue and have filled her in on your trip to Waxahachie, tasking her
to be your research person here at I&A.  I think it’s time for you to make
the trip to Texas.” 

Oliver was stunned by the
directness of Director Clark’s rebuke and felt a sense of panic at having to
pull away from all those who, like he, himself, were hurting so much as a
result of Peter’s death, especially Alice.  He also realized that he was an analyst,
not a field agent.  If this were a major conspiracy, or even just a murder
investigation involving one suspect, it would become a federal case.  Trained
FBI agents would have to be assigned and were much less likely to make mistakes. 

“I understand,” Oliver
finally responded after a long pause, “but please realize that I care deeply
for Alice and Peter’s other personal friends at Fermilab.  I must do what I can
here in Chicago, but I’ll make no more inquiries.”

“I’m sorry, Oliver, I know
how grieved you are; but you have to understand the investigation will be done
thoroughly and with great care.” 

“I know you’re right. I have
an assignment to carry out for you, and I’ll be on a flight to DFW tonight.”

Oliver re-entered the
interstate and continued his drive to the south side of the city.  He felt the
heavy weight of the past two days’ events, along with his overwhelming sense of
helplessness.  He knew he must approach the next few days rationally and not
let his emotions get the best of him.  Clark had the authority to prevent him
from interacting with any of Peter’s family: Alice, or members of the team. 

As he drove by the University
of Chicago campus, Oliver’s anxious thoughts were momentarily interrupted as he
noticed that summer classes were in session.  The traffic of students afoot on
and off of campus heralded the continuing flow of the lifeblood of the
university.  Oliver had dedicated his life to higher education; and the sight
of students going to and from their morning classes always gave him a warm and
comfortable feeling. 

To Oliver, higher education
was an international institution that brought all of mankind together, seeking
a better understanding of each other and the world shared by all.  Within these
ivy-covered walls there was no strife, only a collective struggle to learn
. 
These students are all idealistic and lack the cynicism and prejudice that
eventually drives societies apart.
  As he watched them, Oliver thought to
himself,
Alice is still optimistic and free of the cynicism of adulthood,
even though she’s now lost both of her parents.  I’m now her only parent and
must not let myself be cut off from her by Clark.
 

Oliver parked in front of his
apartment and walked across the front lawn.  As he approached his front door,
he noticed it was slightly ajar, the door frame damaged by forced entry.  In
the bushes next to the front steps was the pry-bar that had been used for the
break-in.  He felt a rush of fear, thinking a robber may be hiding inside.   He
also felt an inner anger that someone might be destroying his library, or his
student records, or stealing his computer.  Pushing the door open, he moved
cautiously in to his living room expecting to find books and records strewn
about, but the room was undisturbed.  He next walked carefully to his study and
peered in.  It also appeared to be undisturbed. 

Puzzled, he turned around to
look into the other rooms of his apartment.  From behind him in the study he
heard a slight scraping sound, and started to turn.  The man was dressed in
black and wore a black ski mask.  Oliver had only a glimpse of him before he
was struck in the head by a heavy object.  He fell to the floor dazed but
conscious.  Oliver was vaguely aware of the figure then running away from him
and out the front door.  By the time he had recovered enough to get to his
knees and struggle to his feet, the man was gone.  Oliver staggered to the
front door, but saw no one on the street.  His attacker had escaped.

He reached for the phone and
began to dial 911, but hesitated when he thought of Bob Clarks warning.
Could
this have been an attack on me personally rather than a burglary?
  He
canceled his call and looked at the broken pieces of plaster where he had
fallen at the door to his study.  They were the remains of a copy of an ancient
stone fertility goddess.  If he had been hit with the real stone statue, the
blow would have been lethal. 

Rather than call the local
authorities, he dialed Clark’s number at Homeland Security.  “Bob, I’m at my
apartment.  I was just attacked by an intruder.  He got away after beaning me
with a plaster figurine.  I’ve not called the local police in case this is more
than a random robbery.”

“Are you all right?  How
badly injured are you?”

“I was dazed, but not knocked
unconscious.  I have a painful lump on the back of my head, but otherwise I’m
ok.”

“Stay put, and don’t call
anyone else.  I’ll send an agent and a medic to your apartment.”

“Do you need the address?”

“No, I have it and will pass
it on to the agents.  They should be there shortly.”

Oliver signed off and entered
his study.  He hoped to find anything that might indicate his attacker was in
his apartment to rob rather than kill.  His computer was still turned off as he
had left it that morning, but the desk drawer containing his letters of
correspondence was slightly open.  For the next ten minutes he continued to
examine the bookshelves and file cabinets without touching them, but making
mental notes on anything, other than the open desk drawer, that looked out of
place.

He was interrupted by a knock
at his open front door.  “Dr. Saxon, may we come in?”  The two FBI agents were
standing at the door holding their identification badges for his examination.

“I didn’t expect you so soon. 
Please come in.  I’ve touched nothing since the attack, but have tried to
identify anything that appears to have been disturbed.”